Salvation Army food pantry to temporarily close due to shortage of donations
Oct. 21—JAMESTOWN — The Salvation Army food pantry in Jamestown will be temporarily closed starting Friday, Oct. 21, due to a shortage of donations and an increase in families and individuals asking for assistance, according to Maj. Judy Lowder, corps officer with the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army food pantry will be closed until Wednesday, Oct. 26.
Lowder said many of the families and individuals have never come to the Salvation Army for help before.
"Right now if families would come in, we wouldn't have enough to give them a full, complete box," she said. "We try our best to give them enough for several meals to hold them over until either their food stamps come in or they are able to get other resources available to them."
She said what's left on the shelves is for extreme emergencies only. She said the Salvation Army is hoping to get a delivery from the Great Plains Food Bank by Wednesday, Oct. 26.
The food boxes are recyclable bags that are provided by Gate City Bank. Depending on the size of each family, the Salvation Army tries to provide at least two to three of the bags with the food that is available.
"The food bags or boxes are per household size," Lowder said. "What we try to do is have fruit, vegetables, canned meat. We try our best to have pasta and spaghetti sauce and then as best we can if we can provide macaroni and cheese and cereal, and just some other boxed items."
If there are perishable food items available, she said the Salvation Army adds those to the bags too.
"Right now if somebody would come in, we have hamburger that is frozen, but that's about it that we have," she said.
Lowder, who has been with the Salvation Army in Jamestown since 2019, said it's the first time the organization has had to close the food pantry in the three years she's been there. She said the cost of food has increased and people need to take care of their families as well.
"It's just more difficult for them as well to make sure that they have enough to make ends meet for their family also," she said.
She said the food pantry is only available to a client every 30 days. To be eligible to receive a food box, individuals must reside in Stutsman County and provide a current and valid ID that shows proof of residency in the county. Individuals must also fill an application to receive a food box each time.
Nonperishable items that are needed include pasta, cereal, peanut butter, rice, soup and canned meat, fruits and vegetables. Hygiene items such as soap, deodorant, shampoo and feminine hygiene products are also needed.
When the food pantry reopens, the hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
If anyone has any questions or concerns about the Salvation Army, Lowder said she is available 24/7.
"They can always reach out. I will answer as best as I can," she said. "If they want to meet, I can do that as well. We are here to service the community the best that we can and that's what we are trying to do."
